• Roof structure and covering

• Foundation, basement, and/or crawl space

• Central heating and air conditioning systems

• Electrical system

• Plumbing system

2. MAKE MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS

A number of maintenance improvements are relatively easy and inexpensive to make, yet they can substantially improve a home's appearance, efficiency, and comfort. A professional home inspector may make helpful maintenance suggestions, such as:

• Trim trees and shrubs which touch or overhang the house

• Apply new caulking and weather stripping as needed around windows and doors

• Clean gutters of debris and leaves; repair or replace cracked or broken gutters, downspouts, and extensions to ensure proper drainage

• Replace bathroom caulk or grouting where necessary to prevent seepage and improve appearance

• Ventilate closed basements and crawl spaces, or install a dehumidifier, to prevent excessive moisture build-up

• Regrade soil around the foundation, as needed to keep water away from the house

• Replace dirty filters in the heating and air conditioning systems

• Have the heating and air conditioning systems professionally serviced

• Have chimneys professionally cleaned, and install chimney hoods or caps as needed

3. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Fixing even minor items can go a long way toward improving that important first impression of our home. Here are some typical improvements which might be suggested by the home inspector's findings:

• Repair leaky faucets

• Tighten loose doorknobs

• Replace damaged screens

• Replace broken panes of glass

• Replace burned-out light bulbs

• Secure loose railings

• Repair and coat driveway

• Patch holes or cracks in walls and ceilings, then repaint

• Repair peeling wallpaper

4. TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Home inspectors also pay attention to items relating to protecting the home and its occupants from danger. They can alert you to important safety precautions which home buyers will appreciate, such as:

• Installing smoke detectors on each level

• Installing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) in "wet" areas, such as kitchen counters tops, bathrooms, and exterior outlets

• Keeping flammable products away from heaters, water heaters, and fireplaces

5. MAKE COSMETIC IMPROVEMENTS

An attractive, clean, and neat home will appeal to a buyer's emotions. In addition to making repairs such as those listed above, remember to:

• Keep the lawn mowed and the house neat

• Clean the exterior walls and trim; repaint if necessary

• Open windows shades and curtains to create a bright, inviting atmosphere

• Keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, since buyers scrutinize these areas

6. PREPARE FOR THE BUYER'S INSPECTION

It's a good idea to assemble in advance various house records that can be used to answer questions from buyers and home inspectors. Specifically, you should have on hand:

• Appliance receipts, service records, and warranties

• Information on the age of major components, such as the heater, air conditioner and roof

• Major component warranties (e.g. carpeting, siding, roof shingles)

• Heating, water, and electric bills from the previous year